School-ruler



(No Model) I W H, H. WRIGHT SCHOOL RULER.

No. 437,879. Patented Oct. 7,1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM H. H. IVRIGHT, OF SAN FRANCISCO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS E. JOHNSON, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

SCHOOL-RULER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,879, dated October 7, 1890.

Application filed July 25, 1890. Serial No. 359,929. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. H. WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in School-Rulers; and I hereby declare the fol lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to that class of rulers so constructed as to conveniently contain and carry other articles, such as pens, pencils, a sponge, a pin-cushion, a slate-rag, 850., thus adapting the ruler for the use of scholars.

My invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a convenient and practical school-ruler.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my ruler. Fig. 2 is a'longitudinal section of same.

The ruler is made with a base portion A and a hollow back portion a, forming a chamber or compartment. The base portion is made concavo-convex, its convex side being underneath, whereby its front is raised, thereby serving as a ruling-edge. Its back is cylindrical, as shown,and the whole ruler may be made by rolling a piece of sheet metal to form the back and extending one of its ends to form the base. Within the hollow back a near each end is placed a partition B of suitable material. Oorkwill answer-the purpose. The front middle portion of the hollow back is cut out, and within this portion is fitted the approximately cylindrical casing O, the ends of which are closed and extend to the partitions B,bywhich any undue end movement of said casing is prevented. This casing has an open front and is adapted to turn concentrically within the hollow back, a small finger-piece 0 being secured to it, whereby it is turned. When this piece is turned up to its limit, the casing O is so turned that its open front coincides with the open front of the hollow back, whereby the contents of said casing may be readily reached. When it is turned down, the casing is turned so that its open front moves away from the open front of the hollow back, which is thereby closed. In this casing C are to be placed slate and lead pencils, pen-holders, and any other articles which may be needed. They can thus be easily carried and readily reached for use.

In the tubular ends of the hollow back a are fitted sleeves D, which carry any suitable articles. For example, one may carry a slaterag E and the other a sponge F at one end and a pin-cushion G at the other end. These sleeves slip readily in place, and they are connected with the ruler by means of rubber straps H, the inner ends of which are secured to the partitions B and their outer ends to the sleeves. Thus these end pieces cannot be lost, and when withdrawn and used and then released they will, by reason of the rubber straps, spring back close to the ruler ends and will then, even if not immediately reinserted, be out of the way.

I am aware thatrulers have heretofore been known the backs of which are made hollow to contain different articles, and I do not, therefore, claim such broadly; but

What I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A school-ruler having acylindrical back with an opening in its front andacylindrical casing mounted and turning concentrically in said back, and having an open front, substantially as herein described.

2. A school-ruler having a cylindrical back with an opening in its front, a cylindrical casing mounted and turning concentrically. in said back and having an open front, and partitions within the back of the ruler at each end of the casing to hold it in place, substantially as herein described.

3. A school-ruler formed with a base portion having a turned-up front edge and a hollow cylindrical back having a front opening, and a cylindrical casing mounted and turning concentrically within the cylindrical back, said casing having a front opening for obtaining access to it and a finger-piece for turning it, substantially as herein described.

4. A school-ruler having a hollow or tubular back with open ends and sleeves, carrying articles such as described, fitted through them,

Within near each end, a cylindrical casing with open vfront mounted and turning concentrically within the back portion of the ruler between its partitions, and sleeves adapted to carry difierent articles connected with and fitting within the ends of the rulerback,substantially as herein described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM H. H. WRIGHT.

NVitnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, H. 0. LEE. 

